Im Wearing a White Rose

A Lazarus Song

Άσπρο τραντάφυλλο φορώ

00:00

Lyrics

I’m wearing a white rose I am, I dearly wish to dye it
and if I’m lucky with the dyes, how many hearts I’ll kindle.
I’ll kindle lasses young and old, I’ll kindle stalwart laddies,
I’ll kindle even a young priest, so he’ll lose the Gospel-book.
I’ll kindle too the village head, so he’ll lose the village rolls,
I’ll kindle that young cowherd lad, so he’ll lose his herd of cows.
We welcome Lazarus who brings along with him good tidings,
the harbinger of Easter Day and cries of ‘Christ is Risen!’.

Translated by John Leatham

Original Lyrics

Άσπρο τραντάφυλλο φορώ

Άσπρο τραντά- τραντάφυλλο φορώ
ν-άσπρο τραντάφυλλο φορώ βολιούμι να το βάψω
βολιούμι να το βάψ’
κι αν τ’ απιτύχω ρούσα μ’ στις μπογιές
κι αν τ’ απιτύχω στις μπογιές πολλές καρδιές θα κάψω.
Θα κάψω νιες, θα κάψω γριές, θα κάψω παλικάρια
πολλές καρδιές θα κάψ’.
Θα κάψω κι έναν νιο παπά, να χάσει τα ευαγγέλια,
θα κάψω και τον πρόεδρο, να χάσει τα τιφτέρια,
θα κάψω και το γιλαδάρ’, να χάσει τα γιλάδια.
Καλώς μας ήρθ’ ο Λάζαρος με τον καλό το λόγο
με την καλή την Πασκαλιά, με το Χριστός Ανέστη.

Region: Macedonia
Area: Kozani, Agia Paraskevi
Category: Love Song, Ritual Song
Rhythm: 7 beats
Dance: Local dance
Duration: 03:27

Recording information

Domna Samiou taped the song in Agia Paraskevi, Kozani, in 1996.

Credits

Women’s Group from Agia Paraskevi (Kozani)

Singers

Discography

Easter Songs

See also

  • SongMacedoniaKozani, EaniRitual Song, Saturday of Lazarus CarolCarol

It is the feast of Lazarus

(Lazarus Saturday Carol)

  • Ήρθ’ ου Λάζαρους ⬥ It is the feast of Lazarus, the feast of Palms is nigh. – Where were you, Lazarus, where did you hide yourself? – Why, I was in the tomb, entombed within the earth. Give me, give me cool spring water, my mouth is full of bitter [...]
  • SongMacedoniaGrevena, SarakinaRitual Song, Saturday of Lazarus CarolCarol

Good Women Bearing Palms

(Lazarus Saturday Carol)

  • Βάγιες μου, Βαγίτσες μου ⬥ Come, Holy Virgin, come along and see these women bearing palms, good women bearing palms, good souls, bend down a little way [so I may cut a sprig or two, to give to Christ our Lord]. Come, Holy Virgin, come along and see these women [...]
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Three Beardless Gents

  • Ήρθαν τρεις σπανοί απ’ την Πόλη ⬥ Three beardless gents down from the City, five hairs between them, what a pity. Then bré bré bré a fourth sailed in, from Tinos, five lonely hairs upon his chin. When bré bré bré when the baldies saw him they rushed out in welcome, looking [...]
  • SongMacedoniaChalkidiki, IerissosSea and Sailors Song

The Words Gone Round

  • Ήρθαν τα Κρητικά παιδιά ⬥ The word’s gone round: the lads from Crete, the lads who hail from Crete, those brave and comely Cretan lads, have now cast anchor here. The comely and attractive ones and those who are betrothed, they’ve fitted out of sailing ship to sail the open [...]
  • SongMacedoniaChalkidiki, IerissosHistorical Song

A Great Command

  • Μια προυσταγή μιγάλη ⬥ And the king did command and ’twas a great command: fleet and admiral were to quit the land. By the Lord’s command and the King’s if-you-please the fleet was to sail for the twelve islands. Many fine ships rounded Cavo Doro, fair flying by; when Lambros [...]